hungry

adjective hun·gry \ ˈhəŋ-grē \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Examples: hungry in a Sentence

Definition of hungry

hungrier; hungriest

1 a : feeling an uneasy or painful sensation from lack of food : feeling hunger

b : characterized by or characteristic of hunger or appetite

a wolf with hungry eyes

2 a : eager, avid

hungry for affection

b : strongly motivated (as by ambition)

hungry investors

a power-hungry politician

3 : not rich or fertile : barren

a hungry soil

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hungrily

play \ˈhəŋ-grə-lē\ adverb

—

hungriness

play \ˈhəŋ-grē-nəs\ noun

See hungry defined for English-language learners

See hungry defined for kids

Examples of hungry in a Sentence

There are millions of hungry people throughout the world.
That girl is always hungry.
The prisoners' families were hungry for more information.
They were hungry to learn more.

Recent Examples of hungry from the Web

Considering Adventures in Hollyhood was filmed around the time Last 2 Walk was recorded, the show now paints a clear picture of artists who are hungry for ubiquity and spreading themselves too thin after unprecedented success.

— patrick lyons, Billboard, "10 Years Ago, Three 6 Mafia's 'Last 2 Walk' Almost Ruined Their Legacy," 24 June 2018
Cubans are particularly hungry for products from the United States, the pop culture powerhouse.

— shanna baker, Smithsonian, "The Quest to Preserve the Last of Castro’s Crocodiles," 21 June 2018
But the growing population of locals, lured by low cost of living and an increasing number of jobs outside the service industry, was hungry for an identity separate from tourism.

— charlotte wilder, SI.com, "The Stanley Cup Final Display is for Vegas Locals and Game 1 Gave Them Ultimate Show," 29 May 2018
The sharks are so numerous, so hungry, that the mere suggestion of a seal draws them in.

— susan casey, Outside Online, "Susan Casey on Seeing Her First Great White Shark," 11 July 2018
The baby, who had been abandoned for at least nine hours before Jessop and Scholz found him at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, was cold, hungry and had scrapes and bruises, but was otherwise in good condition.

— matt volz, The Seattle Times, "Officers describe faint whimper, finding abandoned infant," 10 July 2018
Diners not feeling hungry (or flush) enough for the Osetra caviar with cauliflower custard and smoked Japanese Wagyu beef on the $285 tasting menu can still indulge in Kostow's cooking with a three-course, $125 menu at the restaurant's bar.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "T&C Travel Guide: Napa Valley and Sonoma County, California," 9 July 2018
Audiences were clearly hungry for that kind of middle ground, and sentimental about a past show that had meant to so much to so many.

— refinery29.com, "What Americana Means (And Doesn't) In 2018: From Childish Gambino To Roseanne," 3 July 2018
The junior talked after the game about the state experience and how the rest of the returning players are already hungry for a return to Akron.

— shelby dermer, Cincinnati.com, "Lakota West's softball run ends in 11-1 state championship loss to Perry," 2 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hungry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hungry

Middle English, from Old English hungrig; akin to Old English hungor

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

hungry Synonyms

Phrases

champing at the bit, chomping at the bit;

HUNGRY Defined for English Language Learners

hungry

adjective

Definition of hungry for English Language Learners

: suffering because of a lack of food : greatly affected by hunger
: having an uncomfortable feeling in your stomach because you need food : feeling hunger
: feeling a strong desire or need for something or to do something